Driving Innovation Since 1981
Cimarron delivers advanced solutions and enable success in the most demanding aerospace, defense, and national security missions. Founded as a specialized software firm, Cimarron has evolved into a trusted, high-performance engineering and technology partner to NASA, the Department of Defense, and Commercial Space leaders.
Built for Mission Success.
Since its founding in 1981, Cimarron has grown into a multi-division engineering and technology company supporting some of the most complex and high-consequence missions in aerospace, defense, and national security. What began as a vision to deliver high-quality, real-time control systems has evolved into a full-spectrum organization providing advanced flight systems, software development, systems integration, and mission operations solutions.
A defining milestone in Cimarron’s growth came in 2012 with the strategic merger of DKI, expanding the company’s technical reach and paving the way for a new chapter as a certified Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB).
Cimarron’s success is anchored in its customer success and integrity-driven culture, fostering innovation, supporting career growth, and delivering measurable impact—on the ground, in the air, and beyond. Every program we support is approached with accountability, purpose, and a relentless focus on mission success.
Executive Profiles


Jeannie Crowell
Chief Executive Officer
Jeannie Crowell is the Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Cimarron, a premier provider of real-time ground command and control center systems, software engineering, and integrated technology solutions for government and commercial clients. Under her visionary leadership, Cimarron has evolved from its origins as Cimarron Software Services into a dynamic, full-spectrum technology partner known for delivering mission-critical solutions across aerospace, defense, and IT sectors.
Prior to leading Cimarron, Ms. Crowell served as Co-Founder and CEO of DKI Consulting, a firm that merged with Cimarron in 2012. She was instrumental in executing the merger and has since architected a series of strategic acquisitions that have significantly expanded Cimarron's capabilities, market reach, and innovation footprint over the past decade.
With a strong foundation in marketing, organizational leadership, and strategic operations, Ms. Crowell brings a unique, multidimensional perspective to the CEO role. Her leadership is defined by a deep commitment to customer success, a people-first culture, and a forward-thinking approach to growth and transformation.
Ms. Crowell holds a Master’s degree in Liberal Arts from Harvard University, where she cultivated a systems-level understanding of human behavior, leadership, and organizational dynamics. She also earned a Bachelor of Multi-Disciplinary Studies from the University of Texas, reflecting the breadth of her interests and adaptability in complex environments.
Today, Ms. Crowell continues to guide Cimarron’s evolution as a high-performance organization—driving innovation, fostering enduring partnerships, and positioning the company at the forefront of mission support, engineering excellence, and enterprise-scale solutions.


Brad Cothran
President
As President of Cimarron, Brad Cothran is committed to positioning the company as a premier engineering and technology leader within the aerospace and defense industry. He oversees all divisions with a strategic focus on strengthening existing customer relationships, securing new business opportunities, and cultivating high-impact corporate partnerships.
Mr. Cothran joined Cimarron in 2017 following a distinguished career at The Boeing Company, where he served as Director of Space Vehicle Engineering. In this role, he led engineering efforts on the International Space Station Program, overseeing the design, manufacturing, assembly, testing, and on-orbit support of highly complex, human-rated spaceflight systems.
With over 34 years of experience in the aerospace and defense sector—including more than 16 years in executive leadership—Mr. Cothran brings a depth of technical knowledge, financial acumen, and strategic insight to his role. He is recognized for his ability to inspire and lead high-performing teams, attract top-tier talent, and foster a culture of innovation, excellence, and inclusivity.
Mr. Cothran holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Auburn University. He actively contributes to the advancement of engineering and business education through his roles as a member of the Auburn University Electrical and Computer Engineering Industrial Advisory Board and as an advisory member of the University of Houston C.T. Bauer College of Business Executive Program.


Darren Crowell
Chief Operating Officer
As Chief Operating Officer of Cimarron, Darren Crowell plays a transformative role in shaping the company’s strategic direction and operational excellence. With a keen focus on driving scalable growth, Mr. Crowell oversees corporate operations, streamlining administrative functions, and leading the development of new facilities to support Cimarron’s expansion across multiple locations. Under his leadership, Cimarron has reinforced its position as a leading provider of real-time ground command and control center solutions, recognized for its unparalleled expertise in Systems Engineering, Software Development, and Information Technology Management Services.
Mr. Crowell’s leadership is defined by his ability to build and inspire high-performing teams, both technical and managerial, that align with the company’s vision and objectives. His strategic foresight and operational insights have been pivotal in optimizing workflows, fostering innovation, and accelerating organizational growth. His approach emphasizes efficiency, scalability, and forward-thinking solutions, ensuring that Cimarron remains at the forefront of the rapidly evolving industries it serves.


Luke Trotter
Chief Financial Officer
Luke Trotter serves as Chief Financial Officer at Cimarron, where he is responsible for providing strategic business guidance to the executive management of the company, including advising the shareholders. In this role he is also the executive manager charged with the operation of the financial administration departments.
Prior to joining Cimarron, Luke was a member of the Aerospace, Defense & Government Services investment banking team at Jefferies, where he advised on numerous complex M&A and capital markets transactions. His work spanned a diverse client base—from privately held, founder-led businesses to Fortune 1000 companies—consistently delivering strategic insights and executional excellence.
Luke earned a Bachelor of Science in International Business and Finance from the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business. Since joining Cimarron, he has been instrumental in driving cross-functional collaboration and aligning financial strategy with corporate objectives.
Luke is an advocate for agile decision-making and long-term value creation and is deeply committed to fostering innovation and operational excellence across the organization. Beyond his role at Cimarron, Luke remains actively involved with several educational initiatives through the Darla Moore School and supports Rise Against Hunger, a global organization dedicated to improving nutrition, education and health outcomes for children and families around the world.


Stephanie Baillio
Vice President Human Resources
Stephanie Baillio is the Vice President of Human Resources at Cimarron, where she leads all aspects of the company’s HR strategy and operations. Since joining the company in 1999, she has been instrumental in shaping a people-first culture that supports Cimarron’s mission of innovation, growth, and excellence.
Stephanie drives a proactive and results-oriented HR program focused on attracting, developing, and retaining top talent. She oversees key initiatives in talent acquisition, employee engagement, organizational development, and performance management—fostering a workplace environment that values continuous improvement, collaboration, and both employee and customer satisfaction.
With previous HR experience in the chemical and consulting industries, Stephanie brings a broad and strategic perspective to her role. She is highly regarded for her expertise in change management, employee relations, employment law, and aligning HR practices with business goals.
She holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Houston and an M.A. in Human Resource Management from the University of Houston–Clear Lake. Stephanie is certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and as a SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP). In addition to her role at Cimarron, she shares her knowledge as an adjunct instructor at San Jacinto Community College, teaching SHRM HR certification courses.
Stephanie’s leadership and impact have been recognized by both peers and clients, including honors from the NASA Johnson Space Center. Her dedication continues to support Cimarron’s success through empowered people and forward-thinking HR solutions.


Matt McGee
Vice President Civil & Commercial Space
Matt McGee serves as Vice President of Cimarron’s Civil & Commercial Space Division, where he leads operations within the NASA sector and the expanding commercial space industry. He oversees multidisciplinary teams specializing in Operations, Systems Engineering, Software Development, Testing & Integration, and Information Technology Services—driving performance and innovation in support of complex aerospace missions.
Since joining Cimarron in 2014, Matt has held multiple leadership roles, earning a reputation for building strong, trust-based relationships with employees, customers, and partners. His collaborative approach and strategic vision have been instrumental in the successful execution of numerous high-profile contracts and programs.
With more than two decades of experience in the NASA community, Matt has contributed to mission-critical efforts across the Space Shuttle, International Space Station (ISS), and Artemis programs. His background spans mission training and operations, as well as leadership of multidisciplinary teams supporting mission operations and advanced IT initiatives.
Matt holds a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications from Baylor University and continues to be a driving force behind Cimarron’s commitment to excellence in aerospace and space exploration support.


Chad Searle
Vice President Defense & National Security
Chad Searle serves as Vice President of Cimarron’s Missile and Weapon Systems Division, where he leads strategic programs in support of the U.S. Department of Defense. He oversees high-performing engineering teams focused on the sustainment and modernization of the nation’s Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) systems, as well as a range of cutting-edge missile defense initiatives.
Mr. Searle brings deep operational and technical expertise to his role, shaped by over two decades of distinguished service in the United States Air Force. His military career included leadership positions in Minuteman III (MMIII) launch operations, engineering oversight at a national intelligence site, and program management roles within the Global Positioning System (GPS), MMIII, and the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) Program Offices.
His extensive experience has given him a critical understanding of the urgent need to modernize, digitize, and integrate U.S. weapon systems—efforts that are essential to maintaining national security in a rapidly evolving global landscape. Under his leadership, Cimarron is helping to deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions that support the future of missile defense and strategic deterrence.
Mr. Searle is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Sciences – Astrodynamics. He also holds Master’s degrees in Systems Engineering and Business Administration, providing him with a strong foundation in both technical execution and strategic leadership.
With a commitment to mission assurance, innovation, and operational excellence, Mr. Searle continues to advance Cimarron’s impact in the defense sector.


Don Frew
Vice President Proposal Development
Don Frew serves as Vice President of Proposal Development, where he leads all corporate proposal development activities. He is responsible for strategic oversight, coordination with business development, division executives and teaming partners for the successful execution and delivery of complex proposals. Additionally, Mr. Frew is responsible for all internal environments and capability to support proposal activities.
Mr. Frew brings over 25 years of leadership experience from a distinguished career in the United States Air Force, retiring at the rank of Colonel. Throughout his military service, he held senior positions across multiple mission areas including spacelift operations, satellite design and acquisition, and ground system development, operations, and maintenance.
His notable achievements include leading the early development and qualification of the GPS III satellite system, overseeing the production of critical intelligence satellites, and guiding the requirements development for next-generation satellite architectures. Mr. Frew is widely recognized for his ability to lead high-performing teams, manage large-scale technical programs, and navigate the complexities of national security missions.
Mr. Frew holds a [Bachelor of Science/Master’s Degree] in [Field] from [University Name], and has completed advanced military and executive leadership training. He also holds certifications in [e.g., Program Management, Systems Engineering, Security Clearance, etc.], reinforcing his expertise in both strategic leadership and technical program execution.
His deep experience and mission-driven approach continue to strengthen Cimarron’s capabilities in delivering exceptional service to the national security and intelligence communities.


Rich Larson
Vice President Business Development
Rich Larson serves as Vice President at Cimarron, where he plays a key role in driving the company’s long-term growth through the identification, acquisition, and execution of strategic programs. He contributes to the development and implementation of corporate objectives, with a focus on expanding Cimarron’s footprint across aerospace and defense markets.
With over 40 years of experience in the design, testing, and operations of both aircraft and spaceflight systems, Mr. Larson is a respected leader and trusted partner in the aerospace community. His extensive career includes leadership roles on several of NASA’s most critical human spaceflight initiatives, including the International Space Station, Space Shuttle, Constellation, and Exploration Programs. He is known for his ability to unite technical excellence with business strategy to deliver innovative, mission-driven solutions.
Prior to joining Cimarron, Mr. Larson served as Executive Director of Business Development at MEI Technologies (now Aegis Aerospace) for nine years. Before that, he spent 15 years at SAIC, where he held the position of Vice President of Business Development and Program Manager. There, he led major efforts such as the Orbital Space Plane initiative and support for the Constellation Program.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Larson contributed to Air Force and Navy Design, Development, Test & Evaluation (DDT&E) programs while at Fairchild Republic and Grumman Aircraft. His work included key roles in the F-14D upgrades test program, the F-111 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP), and the T-46A Next Generation Trainer.
With a career defined by technical leadership and strategic foresight, Mr. Larson continues to advance Cimarron’s mission of supporting national aerospace priorities through innovation, partnership, and performance.
Certifications

CMMC Level 2 Certified

ISO 27001:2013 Certified and NIST 800-171 Compliant

ISO 9001:2015 Certified
- Corporate Level Top Secret Clearance
- Secured Processing Facility
- On-Site FSO
- Latest Government Security Audit Awarded "Commended" Status
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), ISC2
- GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH), GIAC
- GIAC Continuous Monitoring Certification (GMON), GIAC
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), EC-Council
Awards

NASA Woman Owned Business of the Year

Boeing Supplier of the Year (Aerospace Support Category)

Best Place for Working Parents 2022
- NASA JSC Subcontractor of the Year
- NASA JSC Mentor / Protégé of the Year
- Boeing Performance Excellence Award
- NASA Goldin-Stokes Mentor Protege Award




